I'm sorry this took so long to put up. I'm in the middle of writing five different stories and one isn't even fanfiction!!

Thank you to all my wonderful readers/reviewers! I love you all.

I don't own anything belonging to J.K. Rowling. Enjoy and let the fun begin!

Chapter 22

Hermione

I awoke the next morning with the sun just barely cresting the horizon. Sighing, I snuggled closer to the warm, hard body next to mine. I smiled when I felt my fiancé nuzzle his nose against my ear. Pressing my back closer to his chest, I reveled in the feel of his hands running the length of my body, curling my legs to my chest to reach my ankles. I moaned softly when his hands came to rest on my stomach, contracting slightly on the soft surface. Shivering at the feel of his breath on my skin, I missed what he had said.

"Hmm, what was that?" I could feel his body vibrate as he laughed.

"I said, did you sleep well? What's on your mind?"

I turned over and lost myself in his clear blue eyes. I placed a gentle kiss on his lips before I answered. "Yes, I slept well. As for what is on my mind…" I sighed and turned my gaze to the wall. Bringing my eyes back to his when I felt his hand on my chin, I finished, "Do you have any idea how much I love you right now? How happy you make me just by being here. How safe I feel when you are in the same room. What did I do to deserve you?"

He pulled me close and answered, "You are a strong beautiful woman with one hell of a family line. I have never seen you back down from a challenge, even when all seemed hopeless. You, my dear and wonderful Hermione, are the most precious entity in my life and I am fortunate you consented to marry me."

Speechless, I could do nothing when he pulled me even closer and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. Not wanting it to stop there, I pulled his lips to mine and expressed all my fears and love in that simple action. Pulling back, I wrapped my arms around his chest and rested my head over his beating heart. Curling my legs around his, I ran my foot up and down his leg in lazy strokes.

Mimicking my motions, Charlie combed his hand through my hair relaxing me in ways I haven't felt in a long time. His hand moved from my arm to my back smoothing the silk of my gown against my skin. We then spent the next hour or so just talking, enjoying the feel of each other's bodies. Our conversation revolved around nonsensical things.

When the sun's rays entered through the window, our conversation trailed off and we entered the type of silence lovers share when nothing more needs to be spoken. Enjoying the heady silence of the moment, I regulated my breathing to match his. When his breathing slowed and deepened, I left a kiss on his chest and slid out of his warm embrace.

I sat on the edge of the bed just watching him sleep. I smiled when he moved to his side and curled his arms around my pillow. Standing, I let the straps of my gown slide down my body and the gown itself fall to the ground as I walked to the adjoining bathroom for a much need bath.

Filling the tub, I added lavender oil and vanilla bubble bath to the hot water. Coiling my hair and pinning it to the top of my head, I eased my body into the silky warmth below. Inhaling the soothing scents of lavender and vanilla, I let my mind wander to the events of the coming day. I closed my eyes and smiled when I thought of my upcoming wedding and the knowledge of my father's identity.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear the door open. I shifted and opened my eyes when I felt a warm hand at my neck. His eyes held an emotion I couldn't name. Not wanting to see anything but joy in his beautiful blue eyes, I turned onto my side and stretched a hand to his face. Trailing my fingers from his forehead to his cheek, I laughed softly as I left behind bubbles.

Ignoring the foam on my body, he pulled me into his body for bone crushing hug. Not quite understanding where his desperation was coming from, I hugged him back and dug my hand into his hair. When I felt his body shake, I pulled back slightly to look into his eyes. The pain and fear almost brought me to tears.

Brushing the hair from his face, I asked, "What's wrong?"

Shuddering, he held me even closer and whispered, "I woke up and you were gone. You have no idea how terrified I was, thinking something happened and I wasn't there to protect you."

When he stopped, I feathered kisses on his neck in the hope of calming his racing heartbeat. When his arms loosened around me and his shaking had stopped, I drew back enough to look into his tortured eyes. Running my hands down his arms and bare chest I made a very simple request. "Take a bath with me." When he hesitated, I insisted, "Come on. It will help you calm down and reassure you that I am indeed fine." When he still looked hesitant, I did the only thing I could think of that moment.

I pulled him in with me.

The look on his face was absolutely priceless, making me wish I had a camera handy. Trying to stifle my giggles, I wiped the foam from his face and said, "Glad you could join me."

His only response was the slow spread of a predatory grin across his face. He had the look of a hunting cougar having just found his favorite play toy. Moving with a speed that I attributed to his work with dragons, he caught me by the waist and growled, "Do you really want to play this game with me?"

Grinning back I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulled my body closer to his and whispered, "Oh my, yes. It should prove very... educational." At the shocked look on his face, I pulled him in for a fierce kiss and dragged him under the water with me. My last thoughts were, 'We won't be getting much talking done this morning...'

Hee hee, fun in the tub. The wedding will be in the next chapter. Remember, the wedding is the night before the Final Battle and the Halloween Ball. The Ball and Battle will be on the same night.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Review if you please. They make uber happy!!